Dirty Data: The Hidden Climate Cost of Our Digital Lives

Event ID: PP1162236

Tue, Mar 17, 2026 | 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Venue: Room 201-202 (JW Marriott)

View on Official SXSW

Summary

Data centers are the invisible engines behind AI, streaming, and cloud computing—but their carbon and resource footprints are growing fast. Decarbonizing these energy-hungry systems takes more than clean power; it requires a full-scale rethink of how we design, build, power, cool, and manage digital infrastructure. This panel brings together leaders in carbon capture, battery storage, green building, water management, and high-performance infrastructure to explore how we can decarbonize the digital world—from the foundations up.

Contributors

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